In the mountains of North Carolina Bask have been working meticulously to craft the third full length aptly entitled “III”, an opus lyrically inspired by folklore and mythology destined to leave a mark with a striking progressive rock flair and hypnotizing soundscapes. 

“Three White Feet” is a great way to start the album with enchanting guitar melodies channeling nostalgic vibes matched by the heartfelt vocal delivery and showcasing impeccable musicianship while the solid rhythmic section will have the chance to deliver heavier sludgy segments. 

“New Dominion” goes straight to charismatic groovy moments featuring intense riffage and powerful drum blasts but such monumental rhythmic backbone is always enriched by proggy elements and glowing guitar melodies. 

“Stone Eyed” conveys a comforting sense of melancholia through intricate melodic waves as guitars shine for the exquisite dreamy tonalities yet there are also thrilling rhythmic crescendos that benefit from the addition of the irresistible psychedelic organ. 

The cinematic final track “Maiden Mother Crone” shifts to a glowing folk mood fully expressed by the gentle banjos melodies and the fragile nostalgic atmosphere accompanied by a particularly spellbinding vocal performance. 

Focusing on a detailed songwriting approach Bask have created something truly unique and passionate on “III” as each song tells a fascinating story through multifaceted melodic textures and a distinct Southern rock feeling. 

On the seventh full length “Colours In The Sun” Australian quintet Voyager aim to reach a wider audience demonstrating interesting songwriting skills that lead to an eclectic blend of catchy pop flavors and technical heavy rhythmic patterns. 

The music style of “Colours” definitely fits the title as guitars and keyboards craft bright comforting melodies with a strong 80’s pop flair yet there are many technical prog twists within the solid rhythmic section that seamlessly lead to significantly heavier dynamics. 

On “Severomance” the 80’s vibes feel quite prominent with the multilayered keyboards and the accessible melodic chorus featuring a luminous vocal delivery in contrast with scattered crunchy guitar riffs. 

“Brightstar” follows a similar pathway as keyboards continue to be essential in the creation of cinematic soundscapes that channel uplifting vibes matched by the passionate vocals and the glowing proggy guitar melodies. 

Featuring an impeccable performance by guest vocalist Einar Solberg of Leprous “Entropy” could easily become a favorite due to the emotive nature of the vocal harmonies and also there are complex prog oriented instrumental passages that focus on the charismatic melodic guitar work. 

The 80’s synths feel utterly strong on “Reconnected” creating all kinds of entertaining electro beats that will occasionally evolve into moody atmospheric layers while the rhythmic section can generate fierce heavy patterns with tight guitar riffs and precise drumming. 

“Water Over The Bridge” is probably the heaviest track unleashing steady raw energy through the intense djent style guitar riffs and the prog rhythmic twists while the soothing vocals and the subtle atmospheric arrangements maintain a pleasant melodic essence. 

Undoubtedly there are many refreshing ideas behind the versatile composition of “Colours In The Sun” and Voyager seem to have developed a tasteful polychromatic formula that will satisfy music connoisseurs. 

 

This is an exciting time for American quartet Cloak as they are ready to unleash the sophomore full length “The Burning Dawn” which promises to solidify the band’s status with an enthralling darkened essence. 

“The Cleansing Fire” immediately builds a fiery heavy momentum with an overdose of blackened rock grooves ideal for a cool live performance while the melodic guitar leads naturally evoke a sheer melancholia in proper gothic fashion. 

“A Voice In The Night” conveys irresistible eerie vibes through the slower dramatic passages and the bewitching dark tonalities of the guitar work which effortlessly shifts from decadent melodic textures to sharp riffage accompanied by the aptly sinister vocal delivery. 

“Lifeless Silence” certainly emphasizes the melodic grandeur and the gothic allure with understated atmospheric accents and guitars also acquire extremely melancholic nuances without sacrificing the heavier groovy elements. 

The instrumental track “The Fire, The Faith, The Void” depicts an eternal gloom allowing the melodic guitar leads to stand out providing poetic phrases and gelid tonalities that amplify the compelling gothic flair. 

“On Poisoned Ground” relies on a wild black ‘n’ roll spirit consequently the groovy guitar riffs and the bold rhythmic section can showcase an aggressive approach yet there will always be plenty of melodic leads channeling profoundly somber emotions. 

Despite being still a new name in the metal scene Cloak are already shaping their own sonic identity fueled by undiluted darkness and youthful energy in fact “The Burning Dawn” is destined to conquer your cold black hearts with a charismatic blend of haunting melodies and groovy dynamics. 

 

Norwegian black metal titans 1349 reach a new diabolical milestone with the seventh full-length “The Infernal Pathway” which draws its inner pitchblack energy from the band’s primordial roots yet dares to broaden the ferocious sonic manifesto with darkened melodies & atmospheres. 

“Abyssos Antithesis” packs a series of blistering blackened grooves as fiery guitars and monumental drums are clearly fueled by a devastating primal force while the impressive soloing delivers a precise and intense shredding galore. 

The perilous core of “Through Eyes Of Stone” ensures belligerent guitar progressions leading to an asphyxiating heavy momentum as the rhythmic section simply feels unstoppable and Ravn’s growls certainly amplify the darkly anthemic essence. 

On “Towers Upon Towers” you will find plenty of aggressive rhythmic blasts yet the mighty guitar licks will also channel a profound sense of despair with brooding melodic hints and the vocals will acquire extra dramatic depth. 

“Striding The Chasm” is destined to become a favorite with an intense hellish strength leading to addictive black ‘n’ roll grooves courtesy of absolutely menacing heavy guitar riffs, terrific flawless drum blasts and an utterly savage solo. 

“Stand Tall in Fire” dwells within a perennial gelid darkness shifting the focus to total desolation and gloomy grandeur this time through theatrical ominous narratives conveying an arcane flair through the intoxicating guitar melodies and the insanely sinister rhythmic patterns. 

Undoubtedly at the center of “The Infernal Pathway” you can always perceive the Aural Hellfire that symbolizes the sonic realm of 1349 since their inception but the band also continues to spontaneously evolve in order to create a memorable journey through chaos and darkness. 

The atmospheric music realm of Foscor fully comes to life on the latest release “Els Sepulcres Blancs” which is the second chapter of a poetic conceptual trilogy where the band is able to explore intense emotions within the world of dreams and expectations. 

The dreamy themes of the whole album are already evident on “Laments” as fragile piano melodies and hazy atmospheres feel essential yet there are some engaging rhythmic crescendos when guitars acquire heavier rock tonalities. 

On “Malson” the instrumental passages focus on icy harmonies and immense melancholia with the strong post-rock influence of the tranquil guitar melodies and the soft vocal delivery and while there are some pleasant rhythmic progressions everything here belongs to an ethereal sonic realm. 

On “Cel Rogent” there are plenty of intriguing dynamics as guitars can deliver bold groovy riffs yet this is not a particularly heavy track as a profound melancholia continues to linger leading to misty atmospheric layers and graceful soloing. 

“Cançó de Mort” relies on multilayered sentimental arrangements and relaxing delicate guitar phrases with hints of darker emotions or scattered luminous harmonies to create an intimate musical and even philosophical experience. 

On “Els Sepulcres Blancs” Foscor seem to have left behind their blackened roots to fully focus on an introspective musical depth that demands dreamy soundscapes and a taste of poetry to be fully expressed. 

As frontman of black metal icons Immortal Abbath certainly gained a fundamental role in the Norwegian black metal scene and back in 2016 his eponymous debut album as a solo artist generated massive interest. Now the time has come to impress the audience even more with the menacing new offering “Outstrider” which promises the expected blackened fury as accompanied by solid musicians Abbath presents to the world his intriguing music vision. 

The softly gelid acoustic harmonies of “Calm In Ire ( Of Hurricane)” foreshadow an utterly dark sonic realm in fact Abbath’s vocals sound absolutely ominous accompanied by a killer mixture of somber melodic guitar licks and hints of pure black metal fury but certainly the classic heavy metal blasts and groovy rock elements render everything quite catchy. 

The rambunctious rhythm of “The Artifex” comes from the obvious blackened roots and the groovy rock dynamics effortlessly generated by bold drums and fierce guitar riffs are enriched by the tenebrous aura of the vocals but the song gets even more interesting when guitars add bewitching melodic phrases and flamboyant soloing. 

“Harvest Pyre” is an addictive track due to the monumental blackened grooves courtesy of the perfectly frostbitten guitar tonalities sometimes embellished by nostalgic vibes within the galloping rhythmic section while of course Abbath’s signature croaking growls always convey an irresistible sinister mood. 

The title track might surprise you with a major melancholic mood naturally expressed by the laid back arpeggios in the intro and the finale but the rest of the song offers plenty of heavier and utterly darkened rhythmic dynamics keeping a robust black ‘n roll framework. 

“Hecate” rightfully continues to rely on a savage series of blackened rock grooves maintaining a catchy flow with loads of chunky guitar riffs but definitely benefits from the addition of sumptuous epic arrangements and dramatic atmospheric nuances. 

The world of “Outstrider” is a perennial winter that somehow makes you feel comfortable as in the midst of a blackened blizzard Abbath clearly pays homage to the glorious old school metal but confidently follows his own sonic evolution to ultimately create an entertaining opus. 

Swedish enigmatic band This Gift Is A Curse shares with the world a malignant blackened sonic manifesto that will leave you breathless and shattered within the visionary realm of the third album “A Throne Of Ash”. 

It’s not surprising to hear how vicious “Blood Is My Harvest” can sound with a cohesive series of ruthless rhythmic patterns mixing black and sludge elements with thick guitar riffs and menacing growls following the drumming breakneck speed through a pitchblack atmosphere.  

The impending doom of “Monuments For Dead Gods” leads to introvert guitar melodies and even if the rhythmic segments often follow a slower dramatic tempo the whole instrumental work maintains an impenetrable darkness amplified by the utterly desperate growls. 

The asphyxiating atmosphere of “Wolvking” introduces a violent sonic assault as the brutally fast rhythmic approach demands chaotic guitar riffs, crushing drums and borderline experimental noise elements. 

“In Your Black Halo (Mass 317)” is full of creepy dissonant sounds creating a suspenseful mood but all the noisy feedback foreshadows the beginning of an occult ritual and the band proceeds to offer immensely darkened guitar riffs marching through the aggressive rhythmic maze and the occasional calmer yet intensely ominous segments. 

The arcane aura of “Wormwood Star” is naturally generated by dense atmospheric layers reminiscent of familiar post metal dynamics that become a crucial element consequently guitars put aside the usual  frantic approach to focus on foreboding melodic textures that lead to an alluring hymn to darkness. 

This Gift Is A Curse are clearly devoted to absolute darkness in fact “A Throne Of Ash” dwells within a limbo between a physical and an astral plane and can sound immensely ferocious with an unstoppable extra heavy approach mainly fueled by the band’s major classic black metal roots.